Welcome to Beantown

By: Somer Bucholz

September 23, 2015
Traveling-it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller (Battuta). An
ancient Arabic traveler and explorer, named Ibn Battuta, once described the rewarding aspect of
being audacious and curious about the world around you. The thought of exploring an unfamiliar
place might seem frightening at first, but once you dive into that new adventure it has the
possibility of becoming a part of you. I had this eye opening experience when I got the
opportunity to travel to Boston, Massachusetts this past summer. I instantly fell in love with
everything about it. From the big city look, to the cozy neighborhood feel, the city itself stole a
piece of my heart. Even though Boston is considered an old city, it has endless things to offer
those who are willing to let their curious mind travel. The city is characterized by its multiple
historic tourist attractions, unique coastal culture, and modern aspects that have evolved over the
years. If you are looking for a memorable trip, I encourage you to take a break from your normal
routine, and book a ticket to Boston. I believe
the undeniable, historic, modernism I
witnessed through the culture inhabiting
Boston should be experienced by all.
To this day, Boston is considered one of
Americas most famous historic cities, dating
back nearly four hundred years (Schlichter).
For a history buff, it is the cornucopia of our
countrys past. There are countless museums
and landmarks scattered throughout the city, waiting to be examined and explored. A few of the
major historic monuments include the Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, the
Old State House, and the ancient cemeteries that hold the lives of famous Bostonians (Visiting
Boston). The noticeable red bricks of the Freedom Trail weave through the city of Boston,
pointing its followers towards sixteen preserved historical sites of the American Revolution. One
of the sites that stuck out to me with its noticeable gold trim and statues was the Old State House,
which was the home to some of the dominating British troops in 1713. However, on July 18,
1776, crowds gathered around to hear the Declaration of Independence read from this buildings

balcony (City of Boston). Sitting in the harbor of Boston, rests replicas of Victorian ships that
now serve as museums for the famous Boston Tea Party. As you tour the city, you can find old
burial grounds tucked in between the modern buildings, which hold the bodies of respected
Bostonians such as John Winthrop, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin that have been secured
all these years. If you are eager to learn about our countrys past, the streets of Boston hold the
many secrets and stories that are willing to be unleased and told.
The city of Boston is known for its classy, sophisticated atmosphere, influenced by its
coastal location and local charm. Even though the city itself is considered big, as you walk
around the various neighborhoods, it gives off a cozy and inviting ambiance. The locals
themselves also help characterize the city. Their strong accents were one of the first things I
picked up on, and throughout my stay, I was always intrigued to hear how it differed from my
Midwestern accent. However, I can confirm that there are definitely two types of locals that you
can run into: the friendly and grouchy (Schlichter). One minute my tour guide was welcoming
and the next minute he was yelling at you to get on and off the bus, or to even move out of the
way on the street. The fact that Boston is located on the Atlantic Coast allows for easy access to
some of the freshest seafood out there. A majority of the restaurants advertise and try to sell their
customers the fresh seafood they have to offer. Some of these dishes include oysters, lobster
rolls, and the famous clam chowda (Schlichter). Bostons unique culture sets it a part from the
rest of the East coast cities, and I strongly encourage people to dive in and experience their
lifestyle.
Boston was once known as a
homesteading community, but eventually
evolved into the social and cultural hub of New
England. It is home to many institutions of
higher education, modern architecture, and
sporting organizations. The historic aspects of
Boston are currently surrounded by huge
buildings that comprise to form a breathtaking
skyline along the harbor. Within the streets of Boston lie two of the most prestigious schools in
the country; Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-MIT (Schlichter). For those
of you who are more interested in the arts, you could attend the Boston Opera House, Boston

Symphony Orchestra, or look through the Museum of Fine Art. By just walking around the city,
you can see street art decorating every corner possible. There is also something for all the sports
fans out there too. If you are a baseball fan, you have entered the city of the Red Sox nation, and
the home of the historic Fenway Park. The stadium itself has so much character, and when I got
the chance to attend one of the games, the whole ambiance brought me back a few decades in
time (Boston). Despite that Boston
is one of Americas oldest cities, it
has embraced some inspiring
modern characteristics that help
shape the city is has become today.
If you are itching for an
adventure, I encourage you to go
and visit the unforgettable history,
unique culture, and modernism that
embrace the city of Boston. The city offers my fellow travel fanatics countless things to explore,
ranging from the historic landmarks pertaining to our countrys independence, all the way to the
Bostonians themselves that comprise to form the cultural Hub of New England. All you need to
do is have an open mind and be willing to go out and examine the city, absorbing every little
piece that lies in the heart of Boston.

Works Cited
Battuta, Ibn. "The Travel Channeler." The Travel Channeler. Sandrine Villagrasa-Butler, 2015.
Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
"Boston: First-time Visitors." TripAdvisor. Trip Advisor LLC, 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
"Image of Boston Skyline." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 1996. Web. 19
Sept. 2015.
"Image of New England Lobster Company." Gallivant. ZOMBICORP, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
"Image of the Old State House." The Tastiest Tours in Town. Yummy Walks, 2012. Web. 19
Sept. 2015.
"Official Website of the City of Boston." Freedom Trail. City of Boston, 2014. Web. 19 Sept.
2015.
Schlichter, Sarah. "Boston Travel Guide- Boston Travel Tips and Reviews.The Independent
Traveler Inc., 2015. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
"What To Do When Visiting Boston IHG Travel Blog." IHG Travel Blog. InterContinental
Hotels Group, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.